Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy
is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It is a systemic treatment, meaning the drugs travel throughout the whole body. Chemotherapy for esophageal cancer is most often used in combination with radiation therapy (called chemoradiation). When used alone, chemotherapy is not an effective treatment for esophageal cancer or long-term survival. Generally, any positive effects from chemotherapy treatment alone are short-lived.

Chemotherapy Drugs and Delivery

There are a variety of chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy regimens for esophageal cancer have been found to work better when drugs are combined. The choice and combination of drugs will be based on your particular cancer and reaction to drugs. Chemotherapy drugs for esophageal cancer may include:

5-fluorouracil (5-FU)

Cisplatin

Docetaxel

Paclitaxel

Epirubicin

Capecitabine

Carboplatin

Irinotecan

Methotrexate

Mitomycin

Vinorelbine

Oxaliplatin

Chemotherapy is most often given through an IV, but some forms can be given by mouth. It is delivered in cycles over a set period of time. A medical oncologist will determine how many cycles of chemotherapy are needed and what combination of drugs will work best.

Side Effects and Management

Though the drugs are designed to target cancer cells, they can affect healthy cells as well. The death of cancer cells and impact on healthy cells can cause a range of side effects. A medical oncologist will work to find the best drug combination and dosage to have the most impact on the cancer cells and minimal side effects on healthy tissue. Side effects or complications from chemotherapy may include:

A variety of treatments are available to help manage side effects including medication, lifestyle changes, and alternative treatments. In some cases, the chemotherapy regimen may be adjusted to reduce severe side effects. The earlier the side effects are addressed, the more likely they will be controlled with a minimum of discomfort.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses medications to attack specific factors that help cancer grow. They may work when standard chemotherapy drugs have not worked. Current targeted therapy options for esophageal cancer include trastuzumab and ramucirumab.

Certain esophageal cancers have an excess amount of a protein called human growth factor receptor (HER2). This protein spurs tumor growth. Trastuzumab, when used with chemotherapy, may help stop tumor growth in cancers with an excess amount of HER2. Side effects of the medication are fairly mild and include fever, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, and headache. It is sometimes associated with damage to heart muscle.

Ramucirumab is a second type of targeted therapy. This therapy blocks the development of new blood vessels that feed tumor growth. It is most often used to treat cancers where the stomach and esophagus meet. It may also be used when other medications have stopped working. The most common side effects include headache, high blood pressure, and diarrhea. This medication can also be associated with more serious side effects like difficulty with wound healing.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.